Gwangju City Expands Medical Expense Support for Rare Disease Patients

Expansion of Eligible Diseases and Relaxation of Income Criteria
Simplified Application Process

Gwangju City Hall exterior view.

Gwangju City will significantly expand the scope of medical expense support for patients with rare diseases this year. By increasing the number of eligible diseases and easing the income criteria for patient households, the city aims to reduce the medical cost burden for citizens struggling with rare diseases.

The 'Medical Expense Support Program for Patients with Rare Diseases' provides coverage for out-of-pocket expenses for medical care, nursing costs, and the purchase of special dietary products for rare disease patients who meet certain income and asset requirements.

This year, the city will invest approximately 1 billion KRW in the program to support the medical expenses of rare disease patients requiring continuous treatment, thereby promoting the socioeconomic and psychological well-being of patients and their families.

The changes include an increase in the number of supported diseases, such as inclusion of akinesia, from 1,272 to 1,338, an expansion of 66 diseases. The income standard has also been relaxed: previously, adults with less than 120% of the median income and children with less than 130% were eligible, but starting this year, anyone with less than 140% of the median income, regardless of age, will be eligible for support.

The application process has also been simplified. The scope of recognized medical certificates has been expanded, allowing support if the final diagnosis is one of the eligible diseases, regardless of whether it is a primary or secondary diagnosis. In addition to submitting applications in person at the National Health Insurance Service branch, applicants can now also submit documents by mail or fax, enhancing convenience. Applications for registration as a beneficiary of the rare disease medical expense support program can be made at the public health center with jurisdiction over the applicant's resident registration address or online via the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Rare Disease Helpline.

Bae Kang-sook, Director of the Health and Hygiene Division, stated on the 15th, "We will actively support rare disease patients so they can receive the necessary medical services without financial burden," and added, "We will continue to develop various support measures to ensure patients receive stable treatment."